Saturday 31 October 2015

Modern Israel and David's Tabernacle

I don't think Israel 1948 was specifically prophesied in Scripture - but a 1948-type event was always possible because Promises having already been fulfilled were never explicitly revoked. 

I don't think the prophesied rebuilding of David's Tabernacle specifically meant the recovery of round-the-clock spontaneous praise and worship in the 20th and 21st centuries - it meant the regathering of David's scattered descendants from 70 years of captivity in Babylon back to their tribal land of Judah; and once there, their ultimate salvation through the Son of David - when Gentiles also found the Lord.

Putting Scripture in its historical context first, before making any applications to the present, could help prevent churches going into extremes.

The Gospel of the Kingdom

ISRAEL'S PROMISED KINGDOM-SALVATION:


1. Didn't fail

2. Wasn't postponed until the future

3. Wasn't fulfilled instead with a change of identity and in some other, spiritual, ethereal way

4. Was fulfilled on location, on time, in Israel, for Israel, literally

5. It's just that only the believing remnant of Jews experienced it

6. Then believing Gentiles were grafted in next

7. But it wasn't over for Jews - because God began using believing Gentiles to provoke unbelieving Jews to faith

8. So it was in that order (first in Israel, then from among the Gentiles) that God created one new man - the Church - the body of Christ - the house of God - comprising Jews and Gentiles without distinction, and without the works of the Law. This was the very outcome foreseen in the Law and the Prophets

9. History recorded the subsequent destruction of the Temple and scattering of the Jews, within the generation predicted by Daniel and Jesus - and persecutions continue to abide the godly in Christ Jesus - but as for the timing of His coming, and the end of the world, no-one knows, only the Father

10. Jesus inaugurated the Kingdom-salvation of grace and freedom on the cross - yet His Second Coming shall bring the consummation of that Kingdom-scheme - of the Gospel scheme - but only the born-again shall enter it

11. In the mean time we have received the power of the Holy Spirit to be witnesses unto JESUS among all nations, while God is giving space for more people to be saved

12. And then the end of all things (which was first announced after John baptised Jesus, and which is at hand); and the renewing of all things; the resurrection; final judgment; the visible Kingdom; and new heavens and a new earth - shall come

That is the Apostles' doctrine - the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

...according to my current, imperfect understanding if it


NOTES


Point #1 likely counters an idea of first-century critics of Paul's Gospel

Point #2 counters Orthodox Judaism; and strict Dispensational Pre-Millennialism

Point #3 counters Replacement Theology; and the strict Covenant Theology adhered to by many Post-Millennialists and A-Millennialists

Point #4 establishes a Scriptural and historical case for JESUS as Messiah

Point #7 precludes anti-Semitism

Point #8 made observing the Law unnecessary 

Point #9 made observing Moses' Law impossible; refutes full-Preterism; seems to define "the coming of the Lord" and "the end of the world" more broadly than part-Preterism; seems to refute some Historical Post-Millennial ideas; and seems to refute some extreme Christian Reconstructionist ideas

Point #10 raises questions for Non-Dispensational Pre-Millennialism


POSSIBILITIES UNDER CONSIDERATION


'Inaugurated Eschatology'

Symbolic Millennialism (but without all of the constructs of strict Covenant Theology)

Varying Optimism (varying because it's limited by the ever-present certainty of persecution to varying degree; and allowing for the possibility of increased persecution near the very end of time)


CERTAINTIES CONCLUDED


Jesus is the Messiah 

Modern religious Judaism is at best not necessary

The Gospel of the Kingdom

Israel's Promised Kingdom-Salvation:

1. Didn't fail

2. Wasn't postponed until the future

3. Wasn't fulfilled instead with a change of identity and in some other, spiritual, ethereal way

4. Was fulfilled on location, on time, in Israel, literally

5. It's just that only the remnant of believers experienced it

6. Then Gentiles were grafted in next

7. But it wasn't over for Jews - because God began using believing Gentiles to provoke unbelieving Jews to faith

8. In that order (first in Israel, then from among the Gentiles) God created one new man - the Church - the body of Christ - the house of God - comprising Jews and Gentiles without distinction, and without the works of the Law - the very outcome foreseen in the Law and the Prophets

9. History recorded the subsequent destruction of the Temple, in the generation predicted by Daniel and Jesus - and persecutions continue to abide the godly in Christ Jesus - but as for the timing of His coming, and the end of the world, no-one knows, only the Father

10. Jesus inaugurated the Kingdom-salvation of grace and freedom on the cross - yet His Second Coming shall bring the consummation of that Kingdom-scheme - of the Gospel scheme - but only the born-again shall enter it

11. In the mean time we have received the power of the Holy Spirit to be witnesses unto JESUS among all nations, while God is giving space for more people to be saved

12. And then the end of all things - which was first announced after John baptised Jesus, and which is at hand - and the renewing of all things; the resurrection; final judgment; the visible Kingdom; and new heavens and a new earth - shall come

That is the Apostles' doctrine - the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ...

...according to my current, imperfect understanding if it

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

NOTES

Point #1 likely counters an idea of first-century critics of Paul's Gospel

Point #2 counters Orthodox Judaism; and strict Dispensational Pre-Millennialism

Point #3 seems to counter the strict Covenant Theology adhered to by many Post-Millennialists and A-Millennialists

Point #4 establishes a Scriptural and historical case for JESUS as Messiah

Point #7 precludes anti-Semitism

Point #8 made observing the Law unnecessary 

Point #9 made observing Moses' Law impossible; refutes full-Preterism; seems to define "the coming of the Lord" and "the end of the world" more broadly than part-Preterism; and seems to refute some Historical Post-Millennialist ideas

Point #10 raises questions for Non-Dispensational Pre-Millennialism



POSSIBILITIES UNDER CONSIDERATION

'Inaugurated Eschatology'

Symbolic Millennialism (without all of the constructs of strict Covenant Theology)

Optimism (with limited ideas of Christian Reconstructionism where possible, not necessarily fully-fledged Christian Reconstructionism; but optimism limited by but not only by the ever-present certainty of persecution to varying degree, at varying places and at varying times for various reasons, and allowing for the possibility of increased persecution near the very end of time)


CERTAINTIES CONCLUDED

Jesus is the Messiah 

Modern religious Judaism is at best not necessary

The Kingdom-Scheme

Israel's Promised Kingdom-Salvation:

1. Didn't fail

2. Wasn't postponed until the future

3. Wasn't fulfilled instead with a change of identity, and in some other, spiritual, ethereal way

4. Was 
fulfilled on location, on time, in Israel, literally

5. It's just that only the remnant of believers experienced it

6. Then Gentiles were grafted in next

7. But it wasn't over for Jews - because God began using believing Gentiles to provoke unbelieving Jews to faith

8. In that order (first in Israel, then from among the Gentiles) God created one new man - the Church - the body of Christ - the house of God - comprising Jews and Gentiles without distinction, and without the works of the Law - the very outcome foreseen in the Law and the Prophets

9. History recorded the destruction of the Temple, in the generation predicted by Daniel and Jesus - but as for the timing of His coming, and the resurrection of the dead, no-one knows, only the Father

10. Jesus inaugurated the Kingdom-salvation and grace on the cross - yet His Second Coming shall bring the consummation of that Kingdom-scheme - of the Gospel scheme - but only the born-again shall enter it

11. In the mean time we have received the power of the Holy Spirit to be witnesses unto JESUS among all nations

12. And then the end of all things - which was first announced after John baptised Jesus, and which is at hand - and the renewing of all things; the resurrection; final judgment; the visible Kingdom; and new heavens and a new earth - shall come

That is the Apostles' doctrine - the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Israel's Promises

Israel's Kingdom Promises:

1. Didn't fail (as some first-century critics may have wrongly thought the Gospel implied)

2. Weren't all postponed until the future (as many modern Dispensationalists, and Orthodox Jews say)

3. Aren't being fulfilled instead in some other, spiritual, ethereal way only (as many adherents to Covenant Theology, including many Post-Millennialists and A-Millennialists say)

4. But they were fulfilled on location, on time, in Israel, literally

5. It's just that only the remnant of believers experienced it

6. Then Gentiles later were grafted in

7. Despite widespread unbelief in Israel, it wasn't over for Jews, because God began using believing Gentiles to provoke unbelieving Jews to faith (all of this was the exact scenario foreseen by the Prophets, explained Paul - this was the scheme by which the prophecy about salvation for all Israel was being outworked)

8. Through that order God created one new man - the Church - the body of Christ - the house of God - comprising Jews and Gentiles without distinction, and without the works of the Law

9. Jesus inaugurated the Kingdom, and salvation and grace on the cross - yet His Second Coming shall bring the consummation of it, and only the born-again shall enter it, whether Jew or Gentile

10.  History records the destruction of the Temple, in the exact timeframe predicted by Daniel and Jesus - but no-one knows the timing of His coming and the end of the world

11. In the mean time we have received the power of the Holy Spirit to be witnesses unto JESUS among all nations.




On Eschatological Views

Bible-Prophecies concerning Israel.

Two common misconceptions:

One, is to say the fulfilment has been delayed until the future (such as during a future 'Great Tribulation', or future 'Millennium' - as many futurist-Dispensationalist evangelicals including many Pentecostals, teach).

Another mistake is to change the identity of Israel by spiritualising it, to the extent that it was never about Israel at all but instead only about the Gentile Church (as many adherents to 'Covenant Theology', including both many Post-Millennialists and many A-Millennialists, teach).

But my understanding of the New Testament view (the Apostles' doctrine - the Gospel) is that God had fulfilled His promises to Israel, and sent His Son Jesus - the Messiah.

Israel's promised salvation didn't fail - it's just that only a remnant believed.

Next, Gentiles began enjoying all the benefits of the same salvation too, and the number of Gentile believers soon outnumbered Jewish believers - nevertheless the first church had been entirely Jewish.

And despite widespread unbelief in Israel, it wasn't over for Jews - because God, having fulfilled His promise to Israel, never revoked their opportunity. In fact God started using Gentile believers to provoke Jewish unbelievers to faith!

So Israel and the Gentiles ended up on an equal footing - both sinners, both unbelieving; and both receiving the same mercy - if they believed.

Through that process God created one new identity, called the Church - His Body - comprising both Jews and Gentiles without distinction, and without being required to keep the works of the Law.

But historically and Scripturally, salvation was offered in ISRAEL first - in fulfilment of promise and prophecy - and AFTERWARD to the Gentiles. Then Gentiles even helped more Jews believe.

How good is God!

All of that was the exact scenario foreseen by the Prophets.

That was the scheme through which the Prophecies (about the offer of salvation for all Israel) were seeing their fulfilment.

In Israel (literally) first - then afterwards among the Gentiles.

That outcome fulfilled the promise to Abraham spoken before Israel ever was; before Moses' Law was given - the promise that all nations (without distinction) would be blessed (saved) in him and in his seed (seed singular, not seeds plural - which was Christ).

Abraham foresaw Jesus' day, and was glad.

Israel's promise didn't fail.

The promise hasn't been postponed.

Neither has it been fulfilled instead in some other spiritual way alone.

It was fulfilled exactly as written - on location, in Israel; and on time, by the end of Jesus' generation - through the Gospel.

So the Gospel wasn't unforeseen.

It isn't just an interim plan.

It isn't just a parenthesis inserted until God gets back to fulfilling Prophecy - back to Kingdom-business - in future. The Gospel is the Gospel of the Kingdom.

God isn't hiding a better card to play in the future.

The Gospel was the very fulfilment of Israel's promises - without postponement, and without changing the identity of Israel in Prophecy, and without spiritualising any of the details in the prophecies.

There are two problems associated with seeing Israel’s promises as delayed, or spiritualising all of it.

A delayed fulfilment implies that we must practise Judaism in future (because the prophecies about Israel described a functioning Levitical priesthood including sacrifices and feasts). But that would be impossible, unnecessary and wrong.

It also removes the historical basis for our faith. If Israel's prophecies haven't been fulfilled yet, then Jesus wasn't the Messiah (because Prophecy described Messiah coming in the same historical setting as Israel's promises).

During and before Israel's captivity in Babylon, the Prophets spoke of Israel's regathering to their land; of the rebuilding of their Temple; of the reinstitution of the Levitical priesthood, animal sacrifices and the Feasts - and they foresaw that Messiah would come in that setting, bringing eternal salvation.

Postponing that to the future, or spiritualising the meaning of all those details, and changing the identity of Israel by spiritualising it, removes the historical basis of our faith altogether, or replaces it with a mere spiritual, ethereal basis instead.

But when we understand that God has already fulfilled His promises to Israel in history, we can assert that Jesus of Nazareth is Messiah - because only Jesus came in the required historical setting.

First God restored them to their land; their Temple was rebuilt; the Levitical priesthood was restored, animal sacrifices were reinstituted, and people from many nations began making annual pilgrimages to Jerusalem to keep the feasts - literally. And all of that legitimately, because Israel was still under the Old Covenant, and the required Levitical genealogies were still in tact) - and then in that historical setting, Messiah came - precisely as prophesied - to fulfil the Old Covenant and inaugurate the New.

It means we have a historical, chronological, geographical, physical, literal, Scriptural and objective basis for our Christian faith - not only a future, or spiritual, ethereal and subjective basis.

This puts the focus of Scripture - and our focus - clearly on JESUS - the Messiah.

It reassures us of salvation without any need to practise Judaism, while we wait for the Second Coming of our Lord, and His Kingdom.

It's the Gospel - plus nothing.

JESUS is Lord and Saviour! without the works of Moses' Law.

This is the Gospel which the Apostles asserted - the good news - planned before the foundation of the world - which was to be for all people.

Based on Daniel and Jesus' Olivet discourse, the early Church were expecting the destruction of the Jewish Temple and of Jerusalem within that generation - and it came to pass precisely.

But as for the Second Coming of the Lord in His Kingdom, the resurrection, final judgment, and the new heavens and new earth, no-one knows the time (not Daniel, the angels, nor even the Son of Man - but only the Father).

Jesus fulfilled promise and Prophecy by inaugurating the Kingdom - and there shall come the consummation of His Kingdom when He comes. But only the born-again shall enter it, whether Jew or Gentile.

The Kingdom shall come openly - it is already in you.

We shall be saved in that Day - yet we are already saved.

We shall receive grace - yet we have already received it.

We shall be raised up - yet we have already been raised with Christ.

All things will be made new - yet we have already been born again.

The announcement of the end began when John baptised Jesus - yet the end of all things is still at hand.

The Kingdom inaugurated - yet not consummated.

Already/Not Yet.

The Prophets wrote statements which show they had glimpses of this two-phase coming of the Kingdom. The New Testament expounds it.

God is giving space for more people to be saved.

Christ alone - without needing to observe Moses' ceremonies - is made unto us wisdom, righteousness, sanctification and redemption. That‘s a message of freedom for the nations.

It's the message of eternal life in Jesus - and this is the message which the Holy Spirit still confirms with signs following, until He comes.

Friday 30 October 2015

Two-Phase Kingdom

All of the predictions concerning Israel, and concerning the Temple - predictions which Daniel, and all the Prophets, and John the Baptist, and the Lord spoke - were fulfilled within the predicted timeframe. That is, by the end of Jesus' generation.

But as for His coming, the resurrection, the final judgment, the end of the world, and the visible Kingdom and new heavens and new earth - no man, nor angel, not even the Son of Man knows when that will be - but only the Father.

Messiah was to fulfil Kingdom Prophecy in two phases - inauguration and consummation. 

Kingdom already/not yet.

In some Old Testament visions, the Prophets were shown the coming Kingdom, as a unit - while in other Prophetic passages we see the Prophets getting a glimpse of the two-phases of the Kingdom's coming. 

The Book of Daniel deals with the Kingdom both ways, depending on the purpose.

For example, the king had a dream of the Kingdom of God coming in the days of a future, fourth kingdom. 

That king didn't need to know about the two-phase nature of the Kingdom. He needed to know that earthly kingdoms (including his own) would one day be eclipsed not only by future kingdoms but by God's Kingdom.

God's Kingdom would come in the days of the fourth kingdom - and it did. Messiah came in that time period - Jesus.

But elsewhere Daniel was given a glimpse of an indeterminate period of time that would span between the destruction of the sanctuary (which happened in Jesus' generation) and the resurrection (which Paul said will happen at Christ's coming).

For Jewish events and Temple events Daniel was given a timeframe by the angel (that's why Jesus could too). 

But as for what would happen after that, the angel gave Daniel no timeframe - he was told only that many would fall, many would be converted, and he would await his resurrection, when he would then stand in his eternal inheritance. So that's why Jesus couldn't give a timeframe for His coming either.

So it's both correct to say the Kingdom was inaugurated by Jesus - and also correct to say we await the consummation of the Kingdom when He comes.

The Kingdom is within you - and it's coming openly.

We are saved - and we're going to be saved.

We've received grace - and we're going to receive grace in that Day. 

Kingdom Now/Not Yet.

The Prophets foresaw that scenario.

More on the Gospel in Prophecy

Bible-Prophecies concerning Israel.

Two common misinterpretations:

One, is to say the fulfilment has been delayed until the future.

Another, is to change the identity of Israel by spiritualising it, to the extent that it was never about Israel at all but instead about the Gentile Church only.

But the New Testament view (the Apostles' doctrine - the Gospel) was that God had fulfilled His promises to Israel, and sent His Son Jesus - the Messiah.

It was just that only a remnant believed.

Next Gentiles began enjoying all the benefits of the same salvation too.

But it wasn't over for Jews, despite widespread unbelief in Israel -  because having fulfilled His promise to Israel, God never revoked the opportunity. In fact God started using Gentile believers to provoke Jewish unbelievers to faith!

Thus Israel and the Gentile were on an equal footing - both sinners, both unbelieving; and both receiving the same mercy - if they believed.

Through that process God created one new identity, called the Church - His Body - comprising both Jews and Gentiles without distinction. But salvation was offered in ISRAEL first - in fulfilment of prophecy. All of that fulfilled the exact scenario foreseen by the Prophets.

It fulfilled the promise to Abraham - spoken before Israel ever was; before Moses' Law was given - that all nations (without distinction) would be blessed (saved) in his seed (seed singular, not seeds plural - which was Christ).

The Gospel wasn't unforeseen.

It isn't just an interim plan.

God isn't hiding a better card to play in the future.

The Gospel was the very fulfilment of Israel's promises - then it went to the Gentiles next.

And Jews could still be saved, because having fulfilled His promises to Israel, God never revoked the opportunity - but only through believing in JESUS.

There are two problems associated with seeing Israel’s promises as delayed, or spiritualising it.

A delayed fulfilment implies that we must practise Judaism in future (because the prophecies about Israel described a functioning Levitical priesthood including sacrifices). But that would be impossible, unnecessary and wrong.

It also removes the historical basis for our faith. If Israel's prophecies haven't been fulfilled yet, then Jesus wasn't the Messiah (because Prophecy described Messiah coming in the same historical setting as Israel's promises).

Changing the identity of Israel in prophecy by spiritualising it, also removes the historical basis of our faith - replacing it instead with a mere spiritual, ethereal basis.

But when we understand that God had fulfilled His promises to Israel in history, we can assert that Jesus of Nazareth is Messiah - because only Jesus came in the required historical setting.

It means we have a historical, chronological, geographical, physical, literal, Scriptural and objective basis for our faith - not only a spiritual, ethereal and subjective basis.

This puts the focus of Scripture - and our focus - clearly on JESUS - the Messiah.

It reassures us of salvation without any need to practise Judaism, while we wait for the Second Coming of our Lord, and His Kingdom.

JESUS is Lord and Saviour!

This is the Gospel - the good news - planned before the foundation of the world - for all people.

Israel in Prophecy

Bible-Prophecies concerning Israel.

Two common misinterpretations:

One, is to say the fulfilment has been delayed until the future.

Another, is to change the identity of Israel by spiritualising it, to the extent that it was never about Israel at all but instead about the Gentile Church only.

But the New Testament view (the Apostles' doctrine - the Gospel) was that God had fulfilled His promises to Israel, and sent His Son Jesus - the Messiah.

Gentiles began enjoying all the benefits of the same salvation next too. God created one new identity, called the Church - His Body - comprising both Jews and Gentiles without distinction. But salvation was offered in Israel first. It's just that only a remnant believed. The exact scenario foreseen by the Prophets.

The Gospel wasn't unforeseen.

It isn't just an interim plan.

God isn't hiding a better card to play in the future.

The Gospel was the very fulfilment of Israel's promises - then it went to the Gentiles next.

And Jews could still be saved, because having fulfilled His promises to Israel, God never revoked the opportunity - but only through believing in JESUS.

There are two problems associated with seeing Israel’s promises as delayed, or spiritualising it.

A delayed fulfilment implies that we must practise Judaism in future (because the prophecies about Israel described a functioning Levitical priesthood including sacrifices). But that would be impossible, unnecessary and wrong.

It also removes the historical basis for our faith. If Israel's prophecies haven't been fulfilled yet, then Jesus wasn't the Messiah (because Prophecy described Messiah coming in the same historical setting as Israel's promises).

Changing the identity of Israel in prophecy by spiritualising it, also removes the historical basis of our faith - replacing it instead with a mere spiritual, ethereal basis.

But when we understand that God had fulfilled His promises to Israel in history, we can assert that Jesus of Nazareth is Messiah - because only Jesus came in the required historical setting.

It means we have a historical, chronological, geographical, physical, literal, Scriptural and objective basis for our faith - not only a spiritual, ethereal and subjective basis.

This puts the focus of Scripture - and our focus - clearly on JESUS - the Messiah.

It reassures us of salvation without any need to practise Judaism, while we wait for the Second Coming of our Lord, and His Kingdom.

JESUS is Lord and Saviour!

This is the Gospel - the good news - which is for all people.

Thursday 29 October 2015

Jewish Feasts and History

I don't think the sequence of Jewish feasts were direct prophecies about the unfolding history of the Reformation and Latter Rain movements.

Rather, I think the Feasts foreshadowed New Covenant realities all of which were already in place in the early Church.

Admittedly the Church's experience of some of those realities waxed and waned throughout history - but that history wasn't directly prophesied by the Feasts: it happened that way just because the Church's understanding waxed and waned.

Only the Second Coming is still required, in order to fulfil any as yet unfulfilled parts of the Feasts. But the power even of that, was something which was already being experienced in inauguration - in promise - in the early Church, as it has in all believers ever since.

Wednesday 28 October 2015

Posted by Gary Wayco

Here's a little quiz that might help when sharing Amillenialism with dispensationalists: A Quiz On The Rapture
Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
1 Corinthians 15:51-52
The following eight questions were compiled to help those who want to understand what the Bible says will happen when Christ returns. The questions deal with events, conditions and circumstances that the Bible says will take place at the time of the “Rapture”, the coming of Christ and our being gathered to Him (along with the dead in Christ) with new glorified bodies. They are intended to stimulate thought by forcing the reader to examine what the Bible has to say in relation to the question that is asked, regardless of any presuppositions the reader may or may not have. Each question has two possible answers along with Scripture* for discovering the correct answer. After reading the question, try to determine which of the two possible answers is correct. Then check to see if your answer lines up with the Scripture that’s provided. It should not be too difficult. Hopefully the format of this little quiz will prove beneficial and those interested will continue to study this important topic by examining all related Scriptures.
*All Scripture is taken from the King James Version.
1. During what time period does the resurrection of both good and bad people take place?
A. The good and bad are resurrected in one hour.
B. The good are resurrected 1007 years before the bad
SCRIPTURE READING FOR QUESTION 1
John 5:28-30
28. Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice.
29. And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.
30. I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.
2. Is the Rapture a “secret” event? That is, is it quiet and inconspicuous?
A. The Rapture is quiet. None of the unbelievers who are left know that anything has happened, except noticing the disappearance of Christians and babies
B. The Rapture is noisy, because when Christ comes back the heavens and earth pass away with a great noise, and the elements melt with fervent heat.
SCRIPTURE READING FOR QUESTION 2
1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:4
13. But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
14. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
15. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
16. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
17. Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
18. Wherefore, comfort one another with these words.
Chapter 5
1. But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.
2. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
3. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction shall come upon, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
4. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.
Mathew 24:27
27. For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
2 Thessalonians 1:6-10
6. Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you;
7. And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,
8. In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
9. Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;
10. When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.
2 Peter 3:10-13
10. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
11. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
12. Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?
13. Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
Job 14:10-12
10. But man dieth, and wasteth away: yeah, man giveth up the ghost, and where is he?
11. As the waters fail from the sea, and the flood decayeth and drieth up:
12. So man lieth down, and riseth not: till the heavens be no more, they shall not awake, nor be raised out of their sleep.
3. What happens to the earth when Christ returns at the Rapture?
A. The earth is destroyed the same day.
B. It lasts another 1007 years before being destroyed.
SCRIPTURE READING FOR QUESTION 3
Luke 17:28-30
28. Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded;
29. But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all.
30. Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.
2 Peter 3:10-13
10. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
11. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
12. Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?
13. Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
4. How many days are there after the Rapture?
A. There are at least 367,555 days (1007 years worth) after the Rapture.
B. There are no more days after the Rapture. The Rapture begins eternity.
SCRIPTURE READING FOR QUESTION 4
John 6:39,40,44,54
39. And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.
40. And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.
44. No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.
54. Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.
John 11:17-27
17. Then when Jesus came, he found that he had lain in the grave four days already.
18. Now Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off:
19. And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother.
20. Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary sat still in the house.
21. Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.
22. But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee.
23. Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again.
24. Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.
25. Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
26. And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?
27. She said unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.
Job 14:10-12
10. But man dieth, and wasteth away: yeah, man giveth up the ghost, and where is he?
11. As the waters fail from the sea, and the flood decayeth and drieth up:
12. So man lieth down, and riseth not: till the heavens be no more, they shall not awake, nor be raised out of their sleep.
5. When does the Day of Judgment occur, the Day wherein the inhabitants of the earth are judged and sent to either heaven or hell forever?
A. The Day of Judgment occurs when Jesus comes back in glory.
B. The Day of Judgment occurs 1000 years after Jesus comes back in glory.
SCRIPTURE READING FOR QUESTION 5
Matthew 25:31-46
31. When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:
32. And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:
33. And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
34. Then shall the king say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
35. For I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
36. Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
37. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
38. When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
39. Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
40. And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
41. Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
42. For I was an hungered, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:
43. I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.
44. Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?
45. Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.
46. And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.
2 Timothy 4:1
I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;
Jude 14,15
14. And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints,
15. To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.
John 12:47-50
47. And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.
48. He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.
49. For I have spoken not of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.
50. And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.
6. When does the Rapture take place?
A. 1007 years before the end of the world.
B. The same time as the end of the world.
SCRIPTURE READING FOR QUESTION 6
Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43, 47-50
24. Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:
25. But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.
26. But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.
27. So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares?
28. He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?
29. But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.
30. Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.
36. Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house:and his disciples came unto him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field.
37. He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man;
38. The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one;
39. The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels.
40. As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world.
41. The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;
42. And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
43. Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.
47. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind:
48. Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away.
49. So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just,
50. And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
7. Do people die on earth after the Rapture?
A. Yes, death isn't done away with for 1007 years after the Rapture.
B. No, human death ends with the Rapture.
SCRIPTURE READING FOR QUESTION 7
I Corinthians 15:21-26, 51-55
21. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.
22. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
23. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.
24. Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.
25. For he must reign till he hath put all enemies under his feet.
26. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.
51. Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
52. In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
53. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
54. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
55. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
8. Is the Antichrist revealed before or after the Rapture?
A. The Antichrist is revealed before the Rapture.
B. The Antichrist is revealed after the Rapture.
SCRIPTURE READING FOR QUESTION 8
2 Thessalonians 2:1-4
Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,
2. That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.
3. Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
4. Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.
Questions contained in A Quiz On The Rapture were excerpted from a booklet with the same title that was originally written by Charles Provan along with this writer.

Covenant Theology and Bible Prophecy

Some adherents to Covenant Theology take the too rigid view that Israel in prophecy is always fulfilled only in Christ and never in natural Israel.

If that was the case, there's no reason to say the Messiah had to be born in Israel, or that He really had to come to Jerusalem at a time when the Temple existed and Levitical priesthood was functioning. He could just as well have been born in Saudi Arabia hundreds of years later - if references to Israel in prophecy never have any reference to natural Israel at all. And in that case we only have an ethereal basis for our assertion that Jesus of Nazareth is Messiah.

No. The regathering of the Jews from Babylon was a prophesied event.

The rebuilding of the stone Temple at that time was a prophesied event.

The reinstitution of the Levitical priesthood and animal sacrifices and feasts had been prophesied.

And then in that place and circumstances, Messiah was to come - He was to suddenly come to His Temple, to Israel, in Israel, bringing salvation for Israel, first. And afterwards Gentiles also would believe and be saved. 

God fulfilled His promises to Israel first, but only believing Jews experienced it - then afterwards the Gospel spread to the Gentiles also.

What emerged was one new man alright - the Church - Christ's body - the true house of God - comprising of Jews and Gentiles without distinction.

But it came about without bypassing God's promises to natural Israel. Without postponement. And without altering identities in prophecy.

The Church came into existence through the exact order, chronology, in the exact geographical location, in the exact natural and physical circumstances and in the exact timeframe that had been prophesied.

Thus our faith is based on a precise interaction between Scripture and history, not just on a spiritual, ethereal take on the identities in prophecy.

Israel in Prophecy

"They are not all Israel who are of Israel" meant that not every descendant of Jacob was a true Jew inwardly, in the heart.

That does not mean though that prophecies concerning Israel were NOT fulfilled in and for Israel, or that the prophecies were fulfilled INSTEAD in the Gentile Church.

It just meant that although God had fulfilled His promises for Israel (in Israel and for Israelites), only believing Jews experienced it.

Only after the promises had been fulfilled in and for Israel first did Gentiles afterwards also believe.

As for "all Israel will be saved", Paul didn't say, "and THEN all Israel will be saved", as if to give a chronology, an eschatological prediction. Rather, he said, "and so [in this manner] all Israel will be saved". So it was a discussion about a scheme, not a chronology for the future.

Paul was quoting Old Testament prophecies about all Israel being saved, justified. He explained it never meant literally every Jew would be saved; but neither did it mean all Jews were now prohibited from salvation - rather the scheme was that any individual Jews who continued not in their unbelief could be saved.

And so - in this manner - [the prophecy which promised the procurement of salvation for all Israel] will be carried out.

Paul was explaining first-century realities - not giving an eschatological chronology.

Jesus never gave a picture of the last generation of Jews being Christians. Quite the opposite in fact.

What I Do Know About Bible Prophecy

I can't say what all is going to happen in the future, but I know what's already happened in the past. All Bible-Prophecies about Old Covenant practices must have been fulfilled at a time and place when the Old Covenant still stood.

Tuesday 27 October 2015

End Times and New Covenant Theology

My impression is the Bible portrays the New Covenant as a covenant of HOPE, in the following ways:

1. The New Covenant assured believers of entry into the Kingdom of God - at Christ's coming; and

2. It provided believers with an inner, living experience of the coming Kingdom - already, in their spirit, through the Holy Spirit, without the works of the Law.

I share the excitement that there's no doubt more freedom, peace and prosperity available to the Church, through the New Covenant, in this present world, than most of us have realised so far. Not only in the believer, but also in the measure of the over-spill from believers to the world, influencing and benefiting society at large. Bring that on!

But at the same time, I think the Bible also teaches that persecution will always exist alongside the Church, to varying degree, until He comes. Numerous Bible-verses could be cited, such as Jesus' parable about the tares being allowed to continue growing alongside the wheat until the very end.

So I think the New Covenant hope can be accurately taught and experienced without going so far as to assert that there must necessarily come the total elimination of everything bad in society-at-large before Jesus comes.

Certainly I think the New Covenant hope can be taught without saying that everyone living on earth at the time when Jesus comes must be believers, as some say.

I do see the importance of correctly identifying fulfilled prophecy (about all things Old Covenant), and distinguishing it from future things. So prophecies about the Temple, Levitical priesthood, sacrifices, and Messiah's inauguration of the Kingdom) for example, are likely all fulfilled already. That's an essential foundation for New Covenant teaching for sure.

But I don't see that all end-times prophecy referred to AD70 events exclusively. I think the New Covenant hope can be taught and experienced just as well if not better, without insisting that Bible-terms like the trumpet, the end of the world, the coming of the Lord, the resurrection, the wrath of God, perdition, the judgment, redemption, reward, salvation, the Kingdom, and the new heavens and earth, were each limited in their meanings to AD70 events alone.

I think I see in the Bible that some of those terms were given relevance to events and themes either side of AD70, not just to AD70 events alone. For example, Paul connected the coming of the Lord with the resurrection of the dead at the last trumpet; and assured that on that day we believers will be saved while unbelievers will undergo wrath. So themes such as "the coming of the Lord", "last trumpet", and "wrath of God" were given relevance to a Day which is still future, despite the fact that certain other prophecies were indeed fulfilled by the events of AD70.

Conceding that some end-time themes project beyond AD70 into the future while asserting that other prophetic themes have indeed been fulfilled already, takes nothing away from the New Covenant hope - rather it clarifies and supports New Covenant teaching.

Failing to see the already-fulfilled aspects of end-times prophecy can weaken New Covenant teaching by wrongly implying that Judaism must be in our future. But on the other hand, not conceding the still-future aspects of end-times prophecy could also discredit New Covenant teaching instead of help bring people out of their wrong ideas about Old Covenant ceremonies in future.

In summary, this is how I understand the New Covenant hope:

On the CROSS, the end of all things (not only of things Jewish) was at hand; the Old Covenant, sin, the devil and death were all defeated; judgment occurred; the new covenant was established; resurrection-life and the Kingdom of God were all INAUGURATED; the Kingdom is within you - but the SECOND COMING will bring its CONSUMMATION; the end of all things and the renewing of all things (not only of things Old Covenant), including the resurrection of the body, and new heavens and a new earth.










What is the First Resurrection?

Could a key to understanding the first and last resurrections, be to consider the first and second death, in Revelation.

The second death referred to the casting into the lake of fire of all the resurrected wicked, after the final judgment. So the first death referred either to the death of the body, or to the spiritual death which all men inherited from Adam. So the second death contrasted the future, eternal state with the present state of the lost.

Could the same contrast apply to the resurrection also. The second resurrection seems to be the general, future resurrection of the dead, to their eternal state. So could the first resurrection describe the present scenario in which believers are privileged to participate? That is, believers are already seated already in heavenly places with Christ, so that although they die, they live in Him.




Modern History in Prophecy?

I think it can be shown that all of the historical predictions made about Israel in Daniel 9:24-27, were already fulfilled by the end of Jesus' generation.

I therefore see subsequent Jewish history as the aftermath of fulfilled prophecy, rather than as specific prophecies being directly fulfilled for the first time.

Excepting the final consummation of course (the second coming, resurrection of the dead, final judgment, end of the world, and new heavens and new earth).

The Kingdom of heaven comes in two phases: already, and not yet; inaugurated, and awaiting consummation; within you, and coming in glory. Old Testament prophets didn't always understand the two phases. Even Jesus' disciples didn't understand it at first.

Some Old Testament passages dealt with both phases as a unit - because that was sufficient to God's purpose for those particular prophecies; while other Old Testament passages included statements which show a distinction. Jesus expounded these details to the apostles, especially after His resurrection; this was the apostles' doctrine. Their assertion was: there had been the fulfilment of promise and prophecy, in and for Israel. It's just that God was allowing space for people to repent and enter the Kingdom before the consummation of all things.

I don't think the present timespan (between inauguration and consummation phases) involves the first-time direct fulfilment of any particular historical predictions concerning Israel which haven't already been fulfilled. Rather I think what we are seeing in Israel and among the nations is just more of the same. It's the aftermath of fulfilled prophecy, not prophecy being fulfilled before our eyes for the first time. What we are seeing has been possible because fulfilled promises were never revoked. History has ebbed and flowed, as the cause and effect of faith or unbelief.

If there is anything yet to happen in history before Jesus comes, in fulfilment of Bible Prophecy, it can't involve anything to do with the Old Covenant (the Temple, Levitical priesthood, sacrifices, feasts). Because those things have been superseded by the New Covenant. That fact alone places most of Bible Prophecy concerning Israel in the past.

And the fact that it's in the past, establishes the case that Jesus is Messiah; and assures us that Judaism has no place in our future.

Israel's Promises

I think it can be shown that all of the historical predictions made about Israel in Daniel 9:24-27, were already fulfilled by the end of Jesus' generation.

I therefore see subsequent Jewish history as the aftermath of fulfilled prophecy, rather than as specific prophecies being directly fulfilled for the first time.

Excepting the final consummation of course (the second coming, resurrection of the dead, final judgment, end of the world, and new heavens and new earth).

The Kingdom of heaven comes in two phases: already, and not yet; inaugurated, and awaiting consummation; within you, and coming in glory. Old Testament prophets didn't always understand the two phases. Even Jesus' disciples didn't understand it at first.

Some Old Testament passages dealt with both phases as a unit - because that was sufficient to God's purpose for those particular prophecies; while other Old Testament passages include statements which show the distinction. Jesus expounded these details to the apostles after His resurrection; this was the apostles' doctrine. Their assertion was: there had been the fulfilment of promise and prophecy, in and for Israel.

I don't think the present timespan (between inauguration and consummation phases) involves the first-time direct fulfilment of any particular historical predictions concerning Israel. Rather I think what we are seeing in Israel and among the nations is just more of the same. It's the aftermath of fulfilled prophecy, not prophecy being fulfilled before our eyes for the first time. What we are seeing has been possible because fulfilled promises were never revoked.

If there is anything yet to happen in history before Jesus comes, in fulfilment of Bible Prophecy, it can't involve anything to do with the Old Covenant (the Temple, Levitical priesthood, sacrifices, feasts). Because those things have been superseded by the New Covenant. That fact alone places most of Bible Prophecy concerning Israel in the past.

Monday 26 October 2015

Isaiah 65 - past, or future?

And the serpent will eat dust.

Serpents don't live on dust.

So could such expressions be a picturesque description of the restored blessings which Israel was about to experience, at their return from captivity, in comparison to their experience in captivity?

After all a prophet had said that the land of Israel would become a roaming place for animals during their 70 years in captivity. Now God was telling them of His renewed favour, and used the picturesque talk about the animals as a way of conveying the extent of that favour.

The verse goes on to say dangerous animals would neither hurt nor destroy in my holy mountain. That statement locates the fulfilment of the prophecy, in place and time.

It was to be in Israel, not among the Gentile Church, because God's mount was in Israel.

It doesn't refer to the heavenly Mount Zion, because there was never any threat of poisonous snakes in heaven.

And the timing was Old Covenant, because the earthly mount Zion was regarded as God's holy mount only while the Old Covenant still stood.

And the next chapter locates the prophecy just as clearly. It mentions the temple, sacrifices, prohibitions against pork, the rebirth of Israel from captivity, the city of Jerusalem, a distinction between Jews and Gentiles, ancient modes of transport like horses, chariots, litters, mules and swift beasts, and mentions vessels in the Temple, a functioning Levitical priesthood, and the sabbath. All of which were distinctly Old Covenant in place and time.

As for the use of picturesque talk, remember that the genre of writing here was apocalyptic, not straight prose like Moses used when giving instructions for the tabernacle.

Much of this prophecy therefore must have been fulfilled in Israel while the Old Covenant still stood.

God's promise to restore Israel from captivity was as sure as the future new heavens and earth (as a previous verse in the same chapter said).

This restoration would position Israel to receive their Messiah, but much of Israel would be rebellious, and at that time even Gentiles would seek the Lord (as the first verse in the chapter and verses following it said).

It all came to pass exactly, in the return from Babylon, restored Old Covenant worship, then the coming of the Messiah to that setting, many Jews didn't believe, and many Gentiles did believe.

Christ inaugurated blessings which are to be consummated at His coming. He ascended into heaven and cleansed the heavenlies, in a sense. The accuser of the brethren was cast out. 

If we spiritualise or futurise all of the details mentioning Israel and Old Covenant distinctives, then we no longer have a basis for saying that the first-century history of Jesus and of the Church fulfilled Bible prophecy.

Israel's Restored Kingdom

I think the Kingdom will be restored to Israel at the second coming - but only the born-again shall see it, including born-again Gentiles.

Only the Father knows when that will be. But for now, the Church's role is to preach it.

The Gospel = the Kingdom (announced, inaugurated, within) + the Kingdom (coming, consummated, openly).

So it won't be a Jews-only Kingdom. It won't involve Judaism. It won't be merely for a thousand years. It will be forever.

The Gospel wasn't a mere parenthesis inserted until God gets back to fulfilling prophecy - back to His Kingdom-purpose for Israel. The Gospel is the fulfilment of prophecy. The Gospel is His Kingdom-plan for Israel - and for all believers.

Jesus said only the born again will see it. And He said Gentiles will come from all quarters and sit with Abraham in the Kingdom.

And Jesus said nothing of it lasting only a thousand years. Or of it suffering an onslaught from the devil even after the second coming.

David's Tabernacle

By "David's tabernacle" and "David's fallen tents" being restored, the prophet was referring to the regathering of David's descendants, and of his tribe of Judah to their land from captivity; and to the salvation which Messiah the son of David would bring to them in their land.

There was a beginning of the fulfilment of that at the return from Babylon. Even Gentiles were prompted to seek the Lord at that time. Then the fuller fulfilment came when God raised up a Saviour Jesus in the line of David, for David's tabernacle (that is, for David's descendants), and for all Israel, and for all nations.

The prophecy was fulfilled on the ground, in Israel, for David's line, and for all Israel, first - and then Gentiles also got saved - all by Jesus' generation.

David's Tabernacle is not just directly about the 'latter rain' movement. Nor is it about Israel's political future. It's already been fulfilled - for the Jew first and then to the Greek, by the first century AD, as James claimed in Acts.

David himself already replaced the tabernacle of worship, by the Temple - it never "fell". He had something better built. It wasn't even the Babylonians who dismantled that tabernacle. David and God did. So why would God later bemoan that it had "fallen"?

No. The fallen tabernacle the prophet was bemoaning was David's fallen dynasty. His house - lineage, descendants. And the tribe to which they belonged - Judah. They were in captivity! God promised to save them - the people. That's what it meant!

As for David's other tabernacle, God never had in mind to re-erect it - rather, He promised that the Temple which replaced it would be rebuilt.

The temple was rebuilt - but the tabernacle was not.

David's descendants got restored to their land, then later saved by the Son of David - and Gentiles also got included.

It had all happened by the first century AD. James said so!

If it hadn't then how could James have cited it in support for the existence of the Gentile church?

And what historical claim do we have to make a case for Jesus?

That's why it's important to understand prophecy as fulfilled and not to alter identities in prophecy.

Sunday 25 October 2015

You Name It

Mention any Bible-Prophecy concerning natural Israel, and I think I can show you how it's been fulfilled already, for natural Israel - without postponement until the future, and without altering (by spiritualising) the intended identity of Israel in the prophecy.

You name it: Prophecies like natural Israel's regathering, restoration, restoration of David's tents, the rebuilding of the Temple, reinstatement of the Levitical priesthood, reinstitution of the sacrificial system, Messiah, the salvation of all Israel, and the coming Kingdom...

...And I think I can show you how it was fulfilled on the ground, in Israel, for Israelis, on time, and without alteration of any of the identities in the prophecies.

The fact of the precise fulfilment of prophecy in history, is important because:

It establishes a historical Scriptural case for Jesus being Messiah - more than just a spiritual, ethereal case;

It assures us that Judaism is not a requirement - not now, nor ever in the future; and

It gives a more correct picture of God's faithfulness to covenant.

It's the apostles' doctrine. It's called the Gospel.

God fulfilled promise and prophecy in Israel for Israelis first (in fulfilment of prophecies mentioning Israel) and then Gentiles also got saved (in fulfilment of prophecies mentioning Gentiles) - and that's the physical,  geographical, historical, Scriptural chronology with which prophecy was fulfilled and the Church was birthed.

This interaction between history and Scripture is a reason our faith in JESUS as Saviour and coming King is assured.

David's Fallen Tents

"David's fallen tents" didn't mean the stone Temple, I don't think.
It meant the tribe of Judah was in captivity and were not living in their land. But God promised to restore them. 

He did restore them from captivity. And Gentiles did begin seeking the Lord at that time too.

And the fullest restoration of David's descendants came through God raising up the son of David, Messiah, unto them, and for all Israel. As Saviour and coming King.

All of that became a historical reality, in Israel, for Israelis, through David's line. And Gentiles got saved next too, as written.

So my point is: Bible Prophecy concerning Israel hasn't been delayed, nor must Israel's identity, nor the Temple's identity, nor the identity of David's tents be changed in order to say that there's been a fulfilment. 

Rather, prophecy concerning Israel, and concerning the Temple, and concerning David's line was fulfilled on location, on the ground, in Israel, on time, for Israelis first, exactly as predicted - then afterwards Gentiles also got saved, also in fulfilment of prophecies (prophecies about Gentiles) - and it was through this physical historical chronology that prophecy was fulfilled and the Church was birthed.

That's one way we know Jesus is Messiah: history confirmed Scriptural prophecy, without postponement and without altering identities in the prophecies. 

Tithing

What's your opinion on tithing?

If you're in a hurry, scroll down to the last paragraph for my answer. 

When I was working full time, I tithed to my local church, plus gave additional freewill offerings to a couple of evangelistic and missionary organisations monthly.

It was my delight to do it. I was a cheerful giver. I could afford to do it.

I desired to serve the Lord fulltime with no thought of pay, so it was my delight to give, whether I had to or not.

When you're in love, you do something because you want to, not because you have to - no-one can stop you. The more you give the happier you feel. People might tell you you're giving away too much, but you just laugh it off coz you're in love!

Then when the time came when I felt God tell me to give away my car and give up my job and go wherever He told me to go and preach the Gospel and just trust Him for my needs - I decided to really go out on a limb: I started giving away all my savings too. I was on a roll. It was fun!

Once I was on the road, I didn't think about tithing any more - because in some towns there was no church; no bank to make direct deposits into a church's account. 

Almost everything I received went into ministry anyway. (Not everything though - because I was still paying off my house.) But I no longer thought about tithing because way more than 10% of the money I was receiving was being spent in the service of the Lord. 

After some time on the road, I felt the Lord ask me, "Have I been meeting your needs pretty well?" 

I said, "Oh, pretty well". He sure had! It was amazing! I never lacked a thing. Everything I'd given away He gave back to me multiplied! So, "Yes".

Then I felt, How about believing Me now for enough for others too.

I thought, Would that mean I have a giving ministry. How amusing, that I could have a giving ministry even though I'm not a businessman - I didn't even have an income. In fact, I had monthly loan repayments to make. 

We often thought giving was a ministry mainly for those with natural supply. But I realised it isn't - giving is a spiritual gift just like all the other gifts. It takes faith to operate it, just like all the gifts. God is the source, not the person's existing resources, like with any of the gifts. I smiled at the thought of me having a giving ministry.

And you know in the next year I think I sometimes gave away bigger amounts of money than I ever did back when I was earning a fulltime wage.

Sometimes I gave even when I needed it myself. But God always gave to me again for my need.

Maybe it was easier to give away what to me were lump sums, seeing the money had been given to me in the first place, it didn't feel like I'd earned it. So I didn't feel like I was giving away my money - it felt more like I was just the conduit. 

But on the other hand sometimes I felt like I wanted to hold onto it for my own need rather than give it, because I never knew for sure when I was going to get money next. Unlike when I was earning a wage, I knew how much I was getting every week.

But anyway, even more I wasn't really thinking about tithing any more. It kind of was irrelevant. To think about whether I should have been tithing would have been like asking do I put a hose in the swimming pool to fill it up, while a tsunami has submerged the thing!

I haven't always stayed at that level of faith. 

Love is the fulfilling of the Law. So any ethics the Law taught, you'll do - because the love of God has already been shed abroad in your heart by the Holy Ghost. 

But you won't use the same vehicle to fulfil those ethics that the Jews used under the Law. You won't even give it to the same place the patriarchs did before the Law was given. 

It will be your delight to pay your fair share of the running costs of your church, to pay your ministers, to give to outreaches, missions, the poor, buildings, to spend on travel, attending conferences, buying books and CDs, meals after church, etc. That's how NT believers express their love.

Another thing we do with our money is honour our parents.

Irrespective of tithing, we all know it's ethical to pay for what we get. Even non-Christians know that. 

So one day I decided to calculate my 'fair share' of what I'm getting out of my church.

I added up the total weekly cost of running the church (rates, electricity, wages, building maintenance, etc); 

then I estimated the number of members of working age, and divided the total cost by the number of working-age attendees. That gave me the average cost per person.

But we all earn different amounts. So I looked up the Australian national average income, on Wikipedia. And I expressed my personal income (which at the time was rental income from my house) as a percentage of the national average.

I then multiplied my personal figure by the average cost of operating the church. To give me my fair share of the cost. Of running the church. Proportional to my income. 

That's fair eh. No-one could argue with that.

And you know what it came to? 10% of my income. 

So, forgetting about tithing - if we all just pay our fair share (which is only right), and if we all just walk in love, the love which God already put in our new nature through the Holy Spirit Whom He gave to us, then we'll fulfil the ethics which the Law of the tithe sought to model anyway.

But we'll do it through a new and living way. 

(When we were born again and received the Spirit, God made us partakers of the divine nature. It's natural for us to love, for God is love.   We live in that Spirit and He lives in us - so we tend to walk in the Spirit and to be led by the Spirit too. Just like a kid looks like his dad. It's natural for us to give, to do the right thing and pay for services rendered to us, to be kind. It just comes naturally, in our spirit, even though our mind needs renewing and our flesh needs subduing. But God's Spirit and our spirit are one.

The Law is still useful for pointing-out sin, but not for empowering us to do. To love.

Love is the answer. To any question. New Covenant love. Life in the Spirit.